Popular games are violating Dutch gambling laws. They have elements in them which can be found in the gambling world, says the Gambling Authority

It's about the phenomenon loot boxes. Those are treasure chests players can buy with extra items in them, like clothing or weapons. Players who open the treasure chests don't know what they'll get beforehand. Those who want a rare item have to open a lot of treasure chests

The Dutch Gambling Authority investigated 10 popular games containing loot boxes. In 4 of the investigated games were digital rewards via external marketplaces available to buy in Euros.

Because the items can be traded they get an economic value. Players can earn money by getting a rare item. That's why these games violate the gambling laws.

"They're designed like gambling games are designed, with the feeling that you've almost won", says Marja Appelman, director of the Gambling Authority. "There are all kinds of sound effects and visual effects when you open a loot box. That gives you the tendency to keep playing".

The Gambling Authority has given the developer 8 weeks to modify their games. If they don't do that then the supervisor can impose fines or ban the sale of the games.

With the 6 other games the items from the loot boxes aren't trade-able and they thus don't violate gambling laws. Nevertheless does the Gambling Authority criticize these games. The opening of virtual boxes closely resembles gambling with a Slot Machine our Roulette.

Especially younger people are vulnerable to that, because their brains are still developing. They could get addicted to gambling easier at a later age. Game developers do nothing to protect younger people against themselves, the Gambling Authority concludes.

Game developers now have to take their own responsibility to protect children better, says the supervisor. "I call on all game developers to no longer make loot boxes accessible to children and to remove all addicting elements", says Appelman.

A box in the popular game Rocket League costs €1,49, for game developers loot boxes are a nice source of income

According to research bureau Juniper Research big companies will make an estimated €24billion on loot boxes this year. If there's regulation the market is estimated to grow to €40billion by 2022.

Abroad Other European countries are investigating loot boxes as well. "That is the subject gambling authorities across Europe are talking about", says Appelman. "From Scandinavia, Germany to Great Britain".

The Gambling Authority wants to band together with its European colleges to stop loot boxes.

TL;DR: the ability to sell the items from loot boxes violates the law.

Which ones? I'm assuming FIFA is included based on that description, but what are the other 3?

They won't say as they're just suspects. It's probably games like PUBG, CSGO and Dota 2 which allow you to link your Steam account to a 3rd party marketplace where you can then buy/sell skins. I don't think FIFA supports such marketplaces.

Currently Playing:

Which ones? I'm assuming FIFA is included based on that description, but what are the other 3?

They won't say as they're just suspects. It's probably games like PUBG, CSGO and Dota 2 which allow you to link your Steam account to a 3rd party marketplace where you can then buy/sell skins. I don't think FIFA supports such marketplaces.

FIFA may not support a real cash based marketplace, but ebay is still a thing

Which ones? I'm assuming FIFA is included based on that description, but what are the other 3?

The folowing quote can be found in the source:
"In the study, the Gaming Authority does not mention names of games that violate the rules. If the games are not modified, the names will be announced. The regulator has looked at the most popular games with loot boxes. If the items can be traded, the games are in violation. This applies in any case to these popular games: Fifa18, Dota2, PubG and Rocket League. Behind those games are the companies EA, Valve, PubG Corporation and Psyonix."
The text was in a grey box, which is probably the reason that poklane forgot to add it.

Which ones? I'm assuming FIFA is included based on that description, but what are the other 3?

The folowing quote can be found in the source:
"In the study, the Gaming Authority does not mention names of games that violate the rules. If the games are not modified, the names will be announced. The regulator has looked at the most popular games with loot boxes. If the items can be traded, the games are in violation. This applies in any case to these popular games: Fifa18, Dota2, PubG and Rocket League. Behind those games are the companies EA, Valve, PubG Corporation and Psyonix."
The text was in a grey box, which is probably the reason that poklane forgot to add it.

I didn't mention it as I'm 99% sure it's just an assumption by the writer. We'll see in 8 weeks I guess.

"The study deemed that FIFA 18, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, Rocket League, and Dota 2 contravened the act, stating that the acquisition of loot boxes required no skill and contained items that had a market value outside the confines of the game. Should the developers fail to take action and implement changes by 20th June, they'll potentially face a fine or the possibility of the game being prohibited in Holland."